Single Spaghetti Carbonara

Single Spaghetti Carbonara is a delicious Italian dish for one that takes only 20 minutes to make. It is ideal as a main dish and ideal when you have had a bad day. The flavours of the bacon or pancetta, eggs, spaghetti and parmesan make it a delight to eat.

Few dishes exemplify comfort food quite like spaghetti carbonara. This Italian classic, with its creamy sauce and rich flavours, has become a beloved staple in kitchens around the world. Its simplicity is its strength, making it an ideal choice for a quick, satisfying meal without the need for elaborate preparation or expensive ingredients.

At the heart of a traditional carbonara is spaghetti, the perfect pasta for soaking up the creamy, savoury sauce. Its slender shape allows it to cling to the sauce just right, ensuring that each bite is packed with flavour. The beauty of carbonara lies in its ability to turn a few basic ingredients into a dish that feels indulgent and luxurious.

The smoky element of carbonara comes from smoked pancetta or bacon. This ingredient adds depth and richness to the dish, providing a contrast to the creamy sauce. Pancetta, an Italian cured meat, brings a distinctive flavour that elevates the dish, but smoked bacon is a more accessible alternative that delivers a similar smoky profile. The key is to render the fat until it becomes crisp, which not only adds texture but also infuses the dish with its robust flavour.

Eggs are the secret to carbonara’s creamy texture. When combined with the heat of the pasta, they create a luscious sauce that coats the spaghetti without the need for cream. This elegant simplicity is what makes carbonara a standout dish, demonstrating that you don’t need a plethora of ingredients to create something extraordinary.

Extra-virgin olive oil plays a crucial role in the dish, providing a rich base for cooking the pancetta or bacon and adding a layer of subtle flavour. Its high quality makes a difference, bringing a touch of sophistication to the dish.

Onion or shallot, though not always traditional, can add a subtle sweetness and depth to the carbonara, enhancing the overall flavour profile. Their delicate taste complements the smokiness of the pancetta and the richness of the eggs, balancing the dish beautifully.

Finally, a generous grating of Parmesan cheese is the finishing touch. This hard cheese adds a nutty, salty edge that completes the carbonara, making each bite deeply satisfying. Parmesan melts into the warm pasta, creating an irresistible, creamy coating that brings the dish together.

Simple spaghetti carbonara is a testament to the beauty of Italian cuisine. It turns a handful of ingredients into a dish that is both comforting and elegant. The combination of spaghetti, smoked pancetta or bacon, eggs, extra-virgin olive oil, and Parmesan cheese results in a meal that feels indulgent yet remains remarkably straightforward. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or a casual dinner, Carbonaro’s effortless charm and rich flavour make it a perennial favourite.

Single Spaghetti Carbonara

I make this recipe frequently and it never lets me down.

4.59 from 137 votes

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Cheese, Eggs, Parmesan, Pasta, Simple Spaghetti Carbonara, Spaghetti, Vegetables

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 Person

Calories: 830kcal

Equipment

• 1 Frying Pan
• 1 Mixing Bowl
• 1 Saucepan

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Ingredients

 

MetricImperial

• 80 g spaghetti
• 65 g smoked pancetta smoked bacon
• 2 yolks eggs free range
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion or shallot/finely chopped
• 30 g Parmesan finely grated, Plus more to serve

Instructions

• Place a large pan of water over a high heat and add a good pinch of salt.
• Bring to the boil and cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions.
  80 g spaghetti
• Add the oil to a frying pan over a medium heat. When hot, add the pancetta/bacon and the onion and fry for about 10 minutes until the pancetta is cooked and the onion has softened.
  65 g smoked pancetta, 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 small onion
• Add the egg yolks to a small mixing bowl together with the grated parmesan.
  2 yolks eggs, 30 g Parmesan
• Whisk together until totally combined.
• Once the pasta is cooked, drain over the sink retaining a mug of the pasta water.
• Add the spaghetti to the pancetta and onion pan and toss well to coat the pasta.
• Season with black pepper. The pancetta is salty so you probably wont need to add salt.
• Remove from the heat and add the egg and parmesan mixture.
• Constantly stir/toss to cover the spaghetti until it is fully coated. If the egg and cheese mix is too thick, add a little of the retained pasta water to thin.
• Serve in warmed bowl immediately with a further grating of parmesan.
• Sit down and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 830kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 922mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 386mg | Iron: 2mg